I can't find out the meaning of this sentences?

[danialsolimany]

Can anyone describe the concept of this sentensespecially after ",but treat...")
a multiproduct firm would recognize the loss of sales of product 1,but treat those customers that depart completely rather differently from those who were only lost to product 2.

 

[Barb_D]

Welcome to Using English, danialsolimany

The phrase "completely rather differently" is a bit odd.

A company sells two products: Product 1 and Product 2.
Product 1 has some customers, but they stop buying it, and don't buy anything from the company any longer.
Product 1 has some other customers, but they stop buying it and instead by Product 2.

The company treats these two groups of (former) customers of Product 1 differently.

 

[emsr2d2]

Welcome to Using English, danialsolimany

The phrase "completely rather differently" is a bit odd.

A company sells two products: Product 1 and Product 2.
Product 1 has some customers, but they stop buying it, and don't buy anything from the company any longer.
Product 1 has some other customers, but they stop buying it and instead by Product 2.

The company treats these two groups of (former) customers of Product 1 differently.

Although I did have to read it twice, I don't think "... treat those customers who depart completely rather differently from ..."
is particularly odd.

The customers who depart completely are treated rather differently by the company from those who switch from product 1 to product 2.

 

[Barb_D]

Ah. The customers who "depart completely" are treated "rather differently."

I read it as "the customers who depart" are treated "completely rather differently."

You'll agree that treating anything "completely rather differently" would be odd!

So -- it just goes to show that even native speakers (and native readers) don't always get the meaning the first time either!

 

[emsr2d2]

The first time I read it, I read it the same way you did.